PAROWAN – The Christmas season gets a western flavor Saturday as Mike Thornton, known to many as “Cowboy Mike,” presents a new show titled “Cowboy Country Christmas” at the Big Red Barn in Parowan.

Thornton said the show shares its name with a song he has written and plans to perform during the show.

He said the show features a Wild West segment, Western music, a live Nativity scene and a visit by Santa Claus.

The Wild West segment of the show, he said, is a tribute to the Great American Cowboy, specifically Chris Ledoux, who Thornton considers his hero and wrote music about the cowboy’s way of life that he also performed.

The tribute features Thornton chasing a herd of horses around the ring, which gives guests the opportunity to see horses in their natural element.

“It’s very action-filled, and it’s very fun for people,” Thornton said, adding later that he loves watching horses run and he wants to share that enjoyment with others.

As part of that tribute, George Argyle, a country western singer living in Provo, will be on hand to perform one of Ledoux’s songs, “He Rides the Wild Horses,” while Thornton chases his horses.

Other features in Saturday’s show include a tribute to all Native Americans that makes use of three buffalo as well as a tribute to John Wayne, who Thornton said personifies the American cowboy.

Thornton said the ticket price for the show includes a meal to be served at noon, and ticket holders are also eligible for a chance at a drawing for gifts placed under a Christmas tree on display, after which the live Nativity scene will play out.

“I’m very excited about this because this is our way of honoring our Savior at this time,” he said.

DelVar Lamoreaux is assisting Thornton with several aspects of the show, as well as playing the part of Joseph in the Nativity scene. He talked about a western show Thornton staged at the same place in November.

“It was really good; he got a lot of compliments on that show,” Lamoreaux said, noting that it brought in close to 100 spectators.

Lamoreaux also said Argyle, who is singing for the show, performs often and won second place in a singing contest at Club 90 in the Salt Lake City area.

Thornton said his show has been picking up sponsors and half the money they donate will be given to three people he knows who are battling multiple sclerosis.

“I love this time of year because it’s the gift giving that makes me feel the Christmas spirit,” he said.

Follow Cathy Wentz on Twitter, @CathleenWentz

If You Go:

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What: Cowboy Country Christmas show.

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When: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Where: Big Red Barn in Parowan: Take Exit 75 from Interstate 15 and follow 200 South into Parowan. There will be a directional sign to the Big Red Barn. Turn right off 200 South from there.